Today we’d like to introduce you to Ciara Corbett.
Hi Ciara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
What’s good yall?
My name is Ciara Shanta and I am a 26 years old podcaster, entrepreneur, model and world explorer. I am a Panther Alum of the Real GSU, Georgia State University, and an Atlanta Native. For about a year I lived up north as a Bostonian in the ‘Bean’. It’s rejuvenating to be home. I come from a family of ten and as a unit, we’ve experienced life. One thing they’ve taught me is tenacity.
I don’t have your run of the mill coming of age story. I was born with a heart murmur. Before I could walk, I had endured my 1st open-heart surgery. My grandma won’t let me forget it, lol. According to her, I was so small I slept in a shoebox, then a drawer and FINALLY a regular-sized bassinet/bed. No matter how small I was, you heard me when I opened my mouth. The older I got, the more I used my voice and writing as a way to express myself whether it be singing, writing a poem/story, talking to folk or crying. All throughout grade school, I’d get recognized for a number of those things and it felt good. I had no idea what purpose was then but I was fulfilling a calling to speak all those years ago.
When I was nine, my entire world felt like it had crumbled. I had no voice, only questions. October 2nd, 2004 my grandad came to gather my siblings and I from the babysitters. We had spent all night there. When we got home, my grandma sat us down and gently broke the news that our mom had been murdered. I can remember vividly losing my voice that day. I didn’t have anything to say, couldn’t make a sound. Tragedy struck my family in the form of death for the following few years. Both my aunts, a brother and a great aunt had passed and a I remember just journaling and crying for a long period of time. I was rebelling against myself and the things I enjoyed doing because I didn’t feel as if I deserved it. I thank God for the community of family and friends I had in place then because they pushed me when I felt most defeated. Life became vibrant again in high school. I began playing sports and learning french, these outlets kept me occupied and healing until I was forced to stop playing. My heart condition, tetralogy of fallot, had caused my pulmonary valve to weaken and leak. It had to be replaced and I had to sit out a sophomore year for a surgery that was performed my junior year. I tried to get back on the court but the state of my heart wouldn’t allow it. I knew then that writing and speaking would be major aspects of my life. I just didn’t know how.
Aside from a BA of Psychology and Black studies, my college experience introduced me to the world of media entertainment and modeling. I became a member of Infinite Appeal, the modeling organization on campus, and began learning the basics of media entertainment/content creation. I didn’t know it then but those were the beginnings of my rebirth as Ciara Shanta; the seeds for A Working Progress Podcast and now LLC were planted in those moments.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Absolutely not. Life tried to weigh me down and discourage me from healing from the past and being able to recognize many of the opportunities and blessings that came my way. Modeling became easy due to my friends. Podcasting on the other hand took work.
A lot of the challenges came from lack of knowledge initially. I used a podcast recording app, an old journal to brainstorm and a closet I could barely fit in starting out. I didn’t know much about sound quality, visual episodes or distribution then but I had a desire to grow in those areas. Google and youtube were God sends. Sorting through all that info to decipher what was beneficial wasn’t. My other main two challenges were cost of equipment, constant intake/creation of content and imposter syndrome.
To increase your production value podcasting mic’s, interfaces, insulation, cover art and editing softwares are all required. Individually they can range anywhere from $60 – $200+ depending on the brand and size. At the time I was struggling finance wise but your world opens up when networking creatively. Anytime I had a photoshoot, I’d invite the photographer to collab, interview or sit with me to pick their brain. Those interactions led me to meet other photographers, models, podcasters, videographers, etc in my area. They in turn helped me to spot a deal and understand quality equipment. A lot of things were given to me also which is why I work so hard to pour back into others. I know the impact it could leave. Content creation can be time-consuming and requires you to know your audience. Your following from your personal Instagram may not care for what it is you’re doing, the goal regardless is to create interesting, relevant episodes for y’all that speak to me. Content intake wasn’t something that I thought about prior to starting A.W.P but reading, watching and listening to social media can really take its toll on you.
Some things I recommend to avoid burnout are to plan breaks into your content days, disengage some when your not creating and pick up an active hobby to keep your mind clear and flowing. I picked up running and if I’m having some brain fog or generally can’t focus, a quick walk/run clears that up. Constant content intake can also manifest feelings of imposter syndrome. I discuss this in episode 1 because it’s easy to feel as if we don’t belong in certain spaces even when we do. There may always be something out there that someone considers better than what I have created. Their opinions won’t keep me from fulfilling my purpose. If I get discouraged now, I refer to 2 Timothy 1: 7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline”. If God saw fit to ordain this path, I won’t let man’s opinion sway me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the proud creator and host of A Working Progress Podcast. The pod’s available on nearly all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify, Google and Anchor podcasts.
In a way my voice has always been one of the things people have remembered about me.
The idea to create my own podcast began sometime in the fall of 21′. At this point, I’d already added multiple podcasts into my daily rotation. Heck, I was listening to podcasts more than music. The month of September was dedicated to me getting everything together and I released my 1st episode of A Working Progress Podcast Oct. 5th 2021. I remember it like it was yesterday, I titled her ‘Imposta Who?: Imposter Syndrome. The feeling of excitement that sort of engulfed me told me that I was doing exactly what I was destined do, use my voice to evoke positivity around mental health and wellness in Black communities. It’s one of my most cherished episodes.
Since that day I’ve been moved to go beyond solely podcasting. In addition to recording and releasing 40+ episodes, I have filmed several travel vlogs/tips, conducted multiple interviews of local creatives, and volunteered in many community outreach opportunities. These experiences I’ve been blessed to have contributed to the revamp of A Working Progress Podcast (A.W.P). More details on that will be announced in the coming weeks.
I believe what sets me apart from others is my candidness, I am going to tell you exactly how I feel surrounding a subject and any experience I’ve had with it. The same goes for my advice. Whether in an episode or in an interview, I’m telling you what I feel you need to hear and it’s all from a place of love.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I’ve learned that there is nothing more valuable on this earth than your faith and community.
For a while, I had stepped away from my religion and faith completely. I didn’t understand why a lot of stuff was happening and life had begun to spiral out of control. When covid hit I could do nothing but rely on my family and friends. Mending relationships, ending relationships, returning to my faith and planning out A.W.P actually all helped me to continue to heal and grow. Had covid not happened, I probably would be in a far worse place in life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kissescandycoated/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CiaraShantaa/about/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CeeCeeBabeyy34/featured
- Other: https://anchor.fm/s/2bde94e8/podcast/rss
Image Credits
Pink dress shot by @Jay.Lenard Instagram Carnival game shot by @Ci.Davinci Instagram Green jumpsuit @EntreprenurialHippy Instagram Radio Station – Dacypher Boston Formal Black Dress @TheCamKilla
